...! ! ! ! ! ! Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! There is a dark cloud hanging over the world of contact sports and it is growing at an alarming rate. With the size and speed of today’s athletes, the sports of football and hockey have become more exciting, fast paced, wide open, and fun to watch. However, there is another consequence of these ever growing athletes on their sports. They have made the collisions in them increasingly more violent. The velocity that these athletes hurl themselves through the air has created an atmosphere that could not have been imagined when these sports were created. First described in the year 1928 (McKee 2010), Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. ! CTE is famously regarded to be the cause of retired NFL linebacker, Junior Seau’s suicide. The disease deteriorated his brain and hindered his ability to think logically. Seau is not the only retired NFL player found to have had CTE through autopsy following their death. Mike Webster was the first football player found to have CTE, when scientists found the characteristic buildup of the tau protein in his brain. Another significant find in CTE affected brains such as his, includes the shrinkage of the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory and thinking processes. The disease was originally noticed in boxers, first being called “punch drunk.” These boxers were described as...
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...Social and Personal Effects of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Madison McCoy The social and personal effects of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) have many aspects and have been recorded by many institutions. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy is a neurodegenerative disease caused by head trauma (Yuan pg 1). The diagnosis of this disease is difficult, considering it can only be done post-mortem during an autopsy. When performing brain biopsies, searching for the neurofibrillary tangles is not a practical option for an early diagnosis of CTE. CTE is more commonly known as concussions, and are usually caused by sport injuries. Symptoms of CTE include irritability, aggression, suicidal thoughts, memory problems, motor impairment and much...
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...throughout the season. A total of 1,696 players played for 32 teams in 2014. Football is the most physical athletic sport played, in the Untied states of America. Injuries are often expected to occur to players each year. However, most players only expect to miss a few games before they return from an injury, not realizing the potential risk of long term injury. Every play on a National Football League field consists of head to head contact between some player, or with the ground. Retired National Football League players have proceeded to file a civil lawsuit against the National Football League because, studies have found that the helmet to helmet contact experienced in the games and practice, is causes a disease called Chronic Traumactic Enephalopathy (CTE). Statement of the Problems In order to understand if players should be allowed to file a lawsuit against the National Football League, we need to better understand exactly...
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...can be extended if the victim does not report his/her concussion. This is frequently the case, as 25% of people who suffer a concussion are never “assessed” by medical professionals (“11 Facts About”). In the brains of dead NFL players, there is a certain phenomenon found called chronic traumatic encephalopathy, also known as CTE. CTE is “the term used to describe brain degeneration likely caused by repeated head traumas,” (“Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy”). CTE can only be found in the brain during an autopsy, so a definite diagnosis is not possible for a live human (“Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy”). The symptoms of CTE are a little more intense than a concussion, including “difficulty thinking, depression, short-term memory loss, emotional instability, and even suicidal thoughts,” (“Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy”). People believe that CTE causes areas of the brain to “waste away,” and brain cells can not communicate as well as normal (“Chronic Traumatic...
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...Traumatic Brain Injuries Related to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases Shelby R. Barnhill Grossmont College Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by hyperphosphorylated tau deposits throughout the brain, specifically in the form of neurofibrillary tangles, astrocytic tangles and threadlike neuropil neurites. Exposure to repetitive brain trauma, including concussions, contusions, and others, most likely result in CTE or other common neurodegenerative diseases. CTE can potentially affect military veterans who were exposed to explosions or other blast related injuries, as well as contact sport athletes with a history of repetitive head impacts. Before research was done on other athletes, it was most commonly found in boxers, and was known as “dementia pugilistica” or “punch drunk”. This disease can be potentially related to over 14 other neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer's. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy is a...
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...CTE is Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy which a progressive degenerative disease which effects the brain. CTE is found in athletes who have a history of repetitive brain trauma such as symptomatic concussions as well as asymptomatic subconcussive hits to the head. Most athletes found with CTE are boxers, football players, even motorists. CTE starts off with no symptoms which makes it hard for people to realize that they might have CTE. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy ik eventually leads its victim to rage, impulsivity, depression and even suicide. Confusion and memory loss are the eventual symptoms of CTE that follow after rage, impulsivity and depression. The last stage of CTE is advanced dementia which makes the brain become deformed...
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...started gambling. He committed suicide on My 12,2012 in Oceanside CA. The final diagnosis is Seau's case was Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. Every year between 1.6 and 3.8 million individuals suffer from sports related concussions. The accumulation of these concussive and sub concussive hit to the head can cause a progressive neurodegenerative disease known as Chronic traumatic encephalopathy which was first...
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...impacted that cause the head and brain to shake back and forth quickly. It usually results in headache, confusion, lack of coordination, memory loss, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, ringing in the ears, sleepiness, and excessive fatigue. Patient might or might not lose their consciousness, however they will all present with temporary symptoms. There is no specific cure for the disease, however, rest and restricting activities allow the brain to recover. Second, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive degenerative disease which occurs when patient have a history of repetitive brain trauma. It’s symptoms are memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, impulse control problems, aggression, depression, progressive dementia and include concussion. Dr. Bennet Omalu, main character in this movie, developed the theory of CTE by postmortem examination. He examined the body of former NFL football player Mike Webster. He discovered that the disease is similar to Alzheimer's disease. He names the disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Omalu supports his theory by collect data to show how head injury during athletic games impact the disease. The...
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...Concussions and chronic traumatic encephalopathy are gaining more and more attention in the world of hockey as more and more athletes are being diagnosed with concussions and CTE is being diagnosed post-mortem. The biggest question that arises when CTE is discussed is the most simple. What is CTE? Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is a progressive degenerative disease of the brain found in athletes (and others) with a history of repetitive brain trauma, including symptomatic concussions...
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...football, a game Dr. Bennet Omalu, the doctor who discovered chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), calls our "collective societal intoxication and addiction." From an entertainment perspective, football is more popular than ever. Attendance figures, television ratings and the growth of fantasy football tell us that. However, while the game's popularity might be on the upswing, so is the scientific evidence that football is hazardous to the human brain. And it's not just concussions. "In terms of the truth, it is not about concussions," said Omalu in a recent interview with sport and culture writer Patrick Hruby. "It is about blows to the head." Long term, repetitive sub-concussive...
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...Professor Campbell Shawn Ryan English 101 4/30/15 Concussions; Worse Than They Appear There is no better past time in the United States of America than American football. American football has been the favorite sport in America for the past decades. However, there have been studies which prove that football is incredibly dangerous to the players health. Studies have shown that football has caused concussions to players, damaged players permanently, and the higher chance of a shorter life. From thorough amounts of research; it’s proven that football causes concussions. Concussions occur when “the brain repeatedly collides with the skull, most often due to a blow to the head. Violent shaking of the head and upper body also can cause concussions”(Concussion Management in Football: Don't Shake It Off). Contrary to popular belief, concussions won’t always make the individual go unconscious for a period of time. Yes, that is true, but not all the time. Chris Miller, a retired quarterback, experienced the effects of a concussions when “he was knocked out of bounds and flew headfirst into equipment storage bins on the sideline. He got up and walked back to the huddle. The wrong huddle. Miller was confused, an effect of the concussion” (Concussion Management in Football: Don't Shake It Off). Although Miller didn’t lose consciousness, he still experienced a devastating concussion. After Miller got his first concussion all the rest concussions have been...
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...I am writing this letter regarding the high-risk injuries associated with Rugby. Rugby, like many other sports, is high in collisions. The players exert large amounts of force in order to acquire and maintain possession of the ball, which causes repeated head injuries or concussions. The repeated collisions between players lead the players to fall from significant heights and on their heads. The players are not protected with gear such as helmets, so the risk for head injuries is significantly large in this sport. As mentioned, there are problems related to the sport that include concussions and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. Concussions are caused by an impact to the head, and can affect many rugby players. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy...
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...can only do so much to protect you. If a player is constantly taking blows to the head the chances of getting a concussion increase. Players can be affected by these hits even after they have stopped playing the game. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is a disease that may occur up to ten years after someone stops playing the sport. Head Injuries in Football Football Related Head Injuries Introduction: I. Attention Getter: Imagine you’re an NFL quarterback taking a three step drop, you have 5 seconds if that to get rid of the ball before a 350 pound defensive lineman comes charging at you and throws you to the ground, as your falling you slam your head against the ground causing your brain to rattle against your skull. You now have a concussion and will watch from the sideline the rest of the game. II. Thesis Statement: “No guts, No glory,” is a very popular saying when it comes to football, however is permanent brain damage worth all the glory? III. Preview of Speech: Helmets are very helpful; however they can only do so much to protect you. If a player is constantly taking blows to the head the chances of getting a concussion increase. Players can be affected by these hits even after they have stopped playing the game. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is a disease that may...
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...A concussion consists of trauma to the head which then forces the brain to hit any side of the skull. This can cause blurred vision, memory loss and many other symptoms that can result in brain trauma or CTE. A Mike Webster, a former NFL football player for the Steelers, was the first person that Dr. Omalu diagnosed with this disease. He presented with early signs of CTE along with mood swings and personality changes before he died. Dr. Omalu observed his brain and discovered this disease. Studies have shown that overtime, CTE deteriorates the brain and eventually will cause loss in brain mass. In other words, pathologist can determine whether or not someone has suffered from CTE due to their size of their brain. The difference between a healthy brain and a brain that has suffered from CTE would be the size difference and the brown spots that appear on the outside of the brain. These brown spots represent where the force occurred. MRI and other machines can determine if someone has had brain damage, like concussions. However, currently there is no technology that can diagnose CTE to living patients. According to Time Magazine, “CTE can only be officially diagnosed...
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...injury caused to the brain which can cause loss of consciousness, confusion, blurred vision and ringing in the ears. Multiple concussions can be life-threatening, career-ending and serious. Concussions used to go unnoticed by players and coaches and they referred to them as “having your bell rung”. Players would return to the field after a short rest. Today, the NFL and sports teams across the United States are sitting up and paying more attention to the medical profession when it comes to concussions. Concussions are dangerous, cause permanent damage to a person’s physiological state, and can lead to death. Multiple concussions suffered by athletes lead to long-term psychological problems. A concussion is medically defined by a traumatic injury to the brain. An athlete that has a concussion may experience signs of confusion, may lose consciousness, disorientation, or have a dazed look. Symptoms of headaches, nausea, dizziness, blurred...
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